2014 - 2015 STUDENT HANDBOOK SPRING COVE SCHOOL DISTRICT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Please take note of important changes to the following sections: Attendance/Dress Code Educational Trips Welcome Spring Cove School District Elementary Students and Families! Building a foundation of excellence, one student at a time. http://scsd.schoolwires.net Dear School Families, Once again, it is our pleasure and privilege to welcome you to a new school year. The teachers, support staff, and school administration extend you an invitation to partner with us as we work together to create a quality educational program for your children. We truly believe that “it takes a village to raise a child,” and we know that your efforts will be essential for all of us to succeed. We appreciate your support. This Elementary Handbook is being provided for your family to have a quick and convenient guide to access the elementary school policies and procedures. Are you planning to take an educational trip? Perhaps you want to know where to go for school closing and emergency information? The answers to these and many other questions are contained in this handbook which is updated and distributed yearly and posted on the school website. For more detailed information on district policies, refer to the school board section of the district website at http://scsd.schoolwires.net/domain/65 (Note: In the event of a situation where provisions of the handbook contradict school board policy, the policy shall prevail.) We also wish to remind our families that our district calendar, teacher web pages, and much, much more can be found on our website. In addition, you will find a link to our on-line student progress system – PowerSchool. We are looking forward to a great school year! Sincerely, Carol Louden Kendra Pritchett [email protected] [email protected] Principal Principal and Title I Coordinator Spring Cove Elem. (224-2311) Martinsburg Elem. (793-2014) Toll Free 1-877-695-4859 SPRING COVE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Contents School Policies and Procedures Attendance………………………………………..…………….…… 1 Approved Educational Trips……………………………….……….. 5 Late Arrivals and Early Dismissals………………………….……… 6 Required Parental Notification……………………………………… 6 School Visitors……………………………………………….……… 6 Video Surveillance…………………………………………………… 7 Requests for School Records/Report Cards…………………………. 7 Separations/Divorces………………………………………….…….. 7 Transportation Issues and Practices…………………………………. 7 School Bus Regulations…………………………………………….. 8 School Closings – Information / Emergency Plan………………….. 8 School Calendar – Updates &In-service Days……………………… 9 Unlawful Harassment / Child Abuse……………………………….. 9 Spring Cove School Board Policy on Discipline…………………… 9 Elementary Code of Conduct………………………………………. 9 Positive Expectations for All Students……………………………… 10 Disciplinary Procedures…………………………………………….. 10 Elementary Bullying Prevention Plan ……………………………... 11 Suspension and Expulsion …………………………………………. 12 Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs ……………………………….. 12 Weapons ……………………………………………………………. 12 Clothing and Dress………………………………………………….. 12 Restriction of Toys ………………..………………………………… 15 Cell Phones and Electronic Devices ………………………………… 15 Search and Seizure …………………………………………………... 15 Student Expression / Distribution and Posting of Materials ………… 16 Homework Suggestions……………………………………………… 16 Damaged Property …………………………………………………… 16 Food/Nutrition Services ……………………………………………… 16 Food Allergy and Snack Guidelines…………………………………. 18 HIV/AIDS and Other Life Threatening and Communicable Diseases. 18 Cough Drops and Chap Stick………………………………………… 18 Medication Policy …………………………………………………… 18 Health Services……………………………………………………… 19 Guidelines for Contagious Diseases…………………………………. 19 Academic Practices, Support Programs and Policies K – 5 Curriculum…………………………………………………… 22 Student Placement / Instructional Grouping……………………….. 22 Student Progress, Evaluation and Grading…………………………. 22 Assessments………………………………………………………… 22 Accommodation Checklist for Adapted Grading…………………… 23 Adapted Grading Practices………………………………………….. 23 Multidisciplinary Evaluation (MDE) Referrals…………………….. 23 Gifted Services……………………………………………………… 23 Support Programs and IEPs………………………………………… 23 Elementary Guidance Program……………………………………… 24 Elementary Student Assistance Program (ESAP) Team …………… 24 Technology Acceptable Use Policy..……………………………….. 24 Assemblies / Recognition Programs………………………………… 25 PTO Groups and Parent Volunteers………………………………… 25 Title I Parent Involvement Policy…………………………………… 25 Appendix Guidelines for the Use of Supportive and Accommodation Strategies Accommodation Checklist Annual Notification of Special Education Programs and Services Annual Notification of the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) SAP Referrals to Drug/Alcohol Support Groups Annual Notification of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Annual Notification of Release of Directory Information (FERPA) Right to Request Teacher Qualifications Notice of Homeless Education Programs Title 1 Parental Involvement Complaint Resolution Process for NCLB Programs Use of Medications Electronic Devices Integrated Pest Management (IPM) SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES The Spring Cove School District is an equal opportunity education institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or religion in its activities, programs, or employment practices as required by Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, and Americans With Disabilities Act. For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures and services, or activities and facilities that are accessible to and usable by disabled persons, contact Ryan Kirsch, Compliance Officer, Spring Cove School District, 1100 E. Main Street, Roaring Spring, PA 16673. ATTENDANCE The Board requires that school age students enrolled in district schools attend school regularly in accordance with state laws. The educational program offered by the District is predicated upon the presence of the student and requires continuity of instruction and classroom participation in order for students to achieve academic standards and make consistent educational progress. Regulations governing school attendance have been established by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and must be enforced by all schools in the state. The Spring Cove School District is open 180 days each year, and students are expected to attend regularly unless excused. Resident children shall be entitled to attend the District’s public schools from the earliest admission age to the District’s school program until the age of 21 years. School attendance is compulsory from the time the child enters the lowest grade of an elementary school above kindergarten, which shall be no later than at the age of eight (8) years, until the age of 17 or graduation from a regularly accredited senior high school. No student shall be admitted to the District’s schools that has attained a high school diploma. Attendance shall be required of all students enrolled in District schools during the days and hours that school is in session, except that a principal may excuse a student for temporary absences when receiving satisfactory evidence of mental, physical, or other urgent conditions that may reasonably cause the student's absence. An excused absence, as defined by the state, is one that occurs because of: 1. Illness or injury of the student. 2. Communicable disease. 3. Required court attendance. 4. Death in immediate family. 5. Religious holidays/instruction. 6. Approved educational tours and trips. Attendance need not always be within school facilities. A student will be considered in attendance if present at any place where school is in session by authority of the Board; the student is receiving approved tutorial instruction, or health or therapeutic services; the student is engaged in an approved and properly supervised independent study, work-study or career education program; the student is receiving approved homebound instruction. Upon written request by a parent/guardian, absences for observance of the student’s religion on a day approved by the District as a religious holiday shall be excused. A penalty shall not be attached to an absence for a religious holiday. The District shall, upon written request of the parents/guardians, release from attendance a student participating in a religious instruction program acknowledged by the District. Such instruction shall not require the child’s absence from school for more than thirty-six (36) hours per school year, and its organizers must inform the District of the child’s attendance record. The District shall not provide transportation to religious instruction. A penalty shall not be attached to an absence for religious instruction. The District shall permit a student to be excused for participation in a project sponsored by a statewide or countywide 4-H, FFA or combined 4-H and FFA group upon written request prior to the event. Page 1 The District will recognize other justifiable absences for part of the school day. These shall include medical appointments, dental appointments, or court appearances. The District shall excuse the following students from the requirements of attendance at the schools of this district: 1. On certification by a physician or submission of other satisfactory evidence and on approval of the Department of Education, children who are unable to attend school or apply themselves to study for mental, physical or other reasons that preclude regular attendance.